Circuit-breaking device



Sept. 28 1926.

E. B. SWERDFEGER CIRCUIT BREAKING DEVICE Filed May 10/ 1924 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY v w, 91%;; K1560 Patented Sept. 28, 1926.

UNITED STATES ELBERT B. SWERDFEGEE, 01: DENVER, COLORADO.

CIRCUIT-BREAKING DEVICE.

Application filed May 10,

This invention relates to an electric switch or circuit breaking device and more particularly to a fluid operated circuit breaker.

The object of the present invention is to provide a switch primarily intended for use in connection with fluid cooled electrical apparatus in which it is essential that an electric circuit should be broken in the event of any disarrangement of the fluid cooling circulation system to prevent damage to the apparatus by reason of the undue heating of the same.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device of the character indicated of an improved and simplified structure adaptable to economical manufacture and easy adjustment as well as to ready observation.

Further objects will more particularly appear in the course of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combinations of parts as hereinafter more particularly described and claimed.

One sheet of drawings accompanies this specification as part thereof, in which like reference characters indicate similar parts throughout.

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the present invention.

In accordance with the present invention a bracket 1 is provided adapted to be secured to a wall or any other suitable vertical surface, this bracket being provided with a longitudinal bore adapted to slidably receive a rod 2, which may be held in adjusted position with respect to the bracket as by a wing bolt 3.

Pivotally secured to rod 2 as at 4 is a double armed lever 5. To the outer end of the longer arm of lever 5 is secured a funnel 6 provided at its discharge mouth with a valve 7. Secured to the end of the short arm of lever 5 is a suitable weight 8.

Upon the top of rod 2 is an electric switch 9 of the well-known pull type having a chain 10 associated with the switch mechanism (not shown) in such manner that alternate, successive pulls upon chain 10 operate successively to make and break the electrical circuit passing through conductors 11, 11, which are intended to be in cir- 1924. Serial No. 712,316.

cuit with the water cooled electrical mechanism (not shown) to be protected by the present invention.

Two chains 12 and 13 are connected with chain 10 as at 14 and have their other ends secured respectively to the short and long arms of lever 5 as at 15 and 16.

A pipe 17 leads from the liquid cooling system of the apparatus to be protected (not shown) and discharges through its mouth 18 into the funnel 6. The pipe 17 may be secured to the same supporting surface as is bracket 1 as by cleat 19, the end of the pipe being preferably bent to dis charge the fluid from the pipe at an angle so that the end 18 of the pipe is clear of the field of movement of funnel 6.

In operation lever 5 is rocked to position illustrated in Fig. 1 in which position chains 13 and 10 have operated upon the mechanism of switch 9 to complete an electrical circuit through conductors 11, 11. Valve 7 is then adjusted to permit the escape of the fluid which is discharged into the funnel 6 from pipe 17, but at a rate such as to maintain funnel 6 full or substantially full of this fluid, in which condition the weight of the fluid in funnel 6 maintains lever 5 in the position illustrated.

Upon any disarrangement of the fluid cooling system operating to either unduly retard or stop the flow of the cooling fluid in the system funnel 6 will empty, whereupon weight 8 will counterbalance and opcrate to rock lever 5 into the position illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, thus exerting a pull through chains 12 and 10 which will operate upon the mechanism of switch 9 to break the electrical circuit through conductors 11, 11'.

It will be apparent that by means of valve 7 the response to variations in the flow of the cooling medium may be regulated as desired. Thus the valve may be opened to permit an outflow just equal to the normal inflow, or in excess of the normal flow to any extent desired.

Various modifications of the structure will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art but within the scope of the present invention, as claimed.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of an electric switch having a pull operated member adapted to make and break a circuitby successive operations, a double armed lever having a weight attached to one arm, and a receptacle provided with a restricted orifice in its bottom secured to its other arm, flexible means connecting the arms of the lever respectively with the pull operated member of the electric switch, and means for directing a stream of fluid into the receptacle.

2. A switch operating device comprising a double armed lever with a pivotal support, a weight secured to the end of one arm of the lever, a tunnel secured to the other arm and a flexible member having its ends connected to the arms of the lever and means intermediate the ends of the flexible member for securing same to the pull cord of an electric switch.

In testimony whereof he afiixes his signature.

ELBERT B. SWERDFEGER. 

